AP - Round 8

---

Sale Sharks v Wasps
AJ Bell Stadium
Heavy rain, 8 Degrees, 14mph Winds

---

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Danny Care
02. Benjamin Kayser	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Rabah Slimani
04. Dave Attwood	11. Simon Zebo
05. Brodie Retalick	12. Francois Steyn
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Matt Kvesic	14. Willie Le Roux
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Nick Abendanon

Subs:
16. Jack McGrath 17. Tommy Taylor 18. Martin Moore 19. Matt Garvey 20. Maro Itoje 21. Kieran Marmion 22. Bernard Foley 23. Semesa Rokoduguni

Key Points

• Kicking options throughout the back line to target the Wasps wingers positionally.
  
• Back three all comfortable at fullback and will be sitting deep to cover kicks.
  
• Power carriers throughout the pack and midfield to get us over the gain line and on the front foot
  

Attack: Look to use the kicking game of our back line to get us into opposition territory and put pressure on their wingers kicking games to get us in the right areas to unleash our carriers. When in the right areas work the phases with big carries off 9/10 and in midfield to get us over the gain line building momentum and fast ball.  

Kicking: Primarily looking to take advantage of the Wasps wingers positioning and kick into the space left behind them with territory the aim. All kicks to be chased to put pressure on the turning wingers and force rushed clearances.  

Breakdown: Mobile pack and physical back line to clear out rucks and ensure quick ball. We will look to get over the gain line off all carries to make it easier to do so. Defensively unless the turnover is on we will commit minimal numbers and look to strengthen the defensive line.

Defence: Straight line blitz defence focused on winning the gain line collisions and driving the ball carrier back. Line speed is crucial. We have selected three players comfortable at fullback in the back three who will look to sit deep and cover the backfield. Care will sweep behind the line to cover chips and grubbers. 

Scrum: Strong scrummaging unit in the front row with the support of a powerful 4-8 will look to get the better of the opposition and build a strong attacking platform. Look to expose the opposition flyhalf with Picamoles running directly at him. 

Lineout: Five mobile, athletic jumpers allows us to genuinely mix the target up on attacking ball. Primarily looking to hit the front or middle and get the maul rolling to suck in defenders and create space. Look to use Picamoles around the back or running at Russel off a shortened line. Defensively POM to get up in the air at the front and challenge on opposition ball looking to make it as messy as possible.

---

London Wasps
Manager: CJ

01. Eddy Ben Arous	09. Ben Spencer
02. Richardt Strauss	10. Russell Finn (k)
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Grant Gilchrist	11. Manuel Montero
05. Luke Charteris	12. George Moala
06. Carl Fearns	13. Rob Horne
07. Chris Robshaw (c)	14. Craig Gilroy
08.  Victor Vito	15. Chris Pennell

:-
16. Nathan Catt 17. Corey Flynn, 18. Tom West 19. George Skivington  , 20 Tom Guest , 21. Rhodri Williams , 22. Charlie Hodgson 23.  George Lowe

Tactics:

Breakdown:

Commit minimal numbers in defence unless turnover on, but commit in attack with intensity to clear out the ball early. Fearns and Robshaw splitting turnover and spoiling work

Attack: 

Keep slow ball in hand with pick and drives and mauling, happy to kick behind the opposition defence into any space in their territory. Territory is the aim today

With power runners at 12 and 13 as well as the likes of Vito and Kepu, we will look to run attacking ball hard with simple passes, suck the defenders in with our hard running. Not forcing the pace of the play, preferring to recycle from the breakdown rather than throw the ball about, but still looking for the odd inside offload with our back 3 happily running off their wings. 

Also in this weather, look to utilise kicks of all types and chase every high kick to try force errors.

Defence:

Blitz defence led by Moala with Spencer sweeping and Fearns looking to cut any of Care's space to pile pressure on the out of form Sexton. Keep very tight guards at rucks to stop Care from sniping.

In this weather we will run back kicks if there is something on but generally play it safe and kick back, utilising Abendanon's occasionally poor positioning when he leaves a gap to kick into. We will be very careful to chase and contest every kick to minimalise their dangerous back 3 running back. We will also take any points on offer

Setpiece: 

We have a very inform front row who will look to focus on stabilising on opposition ball so that we can defend on the front foot, and then get the ball out quickly and safely on our ball. In the lineout, we will keep things simple in this weather and as in recent weeks look to defend lineouts on the ground rather than the air.

Overall: This is wet weather rugby so we will be direct, kick cleverly with an emphasis on the chase, compete with our heads up at the breakdown and focus on territory, winning aerial battles and defence

---

---

Gloucester v London Irish
Kingsholm
Light rain, 10 Degrees, 17mph Winds

---

1 Beast
2 Strauss
3 Mas
4 Etzbeth
5 Robson
6 croft
7 Matera
8 Heaslip
9 Genia
10 Carter
11 May
12 Toomua
13 Crotty
14 Walker
15 Folau
16 Ousthuizen
17 LCD
18 Figallo
19 lavanini
20 dickinson
21 Robson
22 Cipriani
23 Dagg

Forwards Work - Half Backs Control - Outside Backs Create


Game Plan - When in the wasps half we will play a patient game using our pack to carry hard and get us across the gain line carrying off 9 and 10. With Genia Carter and toomua we can control the game in the wet and exploit Wasps lack of game management.As our play builds we'll look to use our strike runners and open it up. With Folau, toomua, Crotty, may we have plenty of people to step in to second receiver and keep continuity.genia Carter and toomua are their to control the game Look to create space out wide by using out the back options with lead runners running wide out to in lines to keep defence honest.


Kicking Game- Look to play the game in the Wasps half using the boot of genia Carter toomua to keep Gloucester deep. We will vary between kicking for territory and using cross fields and up and unders to gain territory using Folau and co who are experts under the high ball and will bring us possession.

Defence - Look to blitz and put pressure on wasps. By targeting then we cut there possession at source. Likewise we will target Wasps lack of lineout options to pressurise their throwing in.
Genia will sweep and we will look be aggressive and send numbers in to the breakdown to try and affect turnovers

Set Piece - Use our scrum as a weapon to attack Wasps and gain penalties and look to control the game.

KEY POINTS

Take the points - Carter is the best in the world and will kick  goals.
Look for the half back to set tone
Pressure cruden who is not a wet weather player and who has been out for a long time

Pressurise lineout on their throw with our multiple jumpers
Play game in right areas

---

London Irish

Armitage, Watson, Kriel, Barritt, Habana, Cruden, Smith;
Marler, du Plessis, Malherbe, Symons, Vahaamahina, Kaino, O'Brien, Vermeulen.
Reps: polota-Nau, Sio, Wilson, Broadhurst, Coetzee, Youngs, Slade, Nanai-Williams

Basic Game Plan
In wet conditions we will be looking to play a mixed game, and have picked a side enabling us to do so.  When in Gloucesters 22 we will look to trust in our ability and put the ball through the hands when it is on to do so.  Further out than that and we will utilise the kicking games of our entire backline to take us into the right areas of the pitch

In defence, in poor conditions, we will employ a drift defence, leaving our wingers slightly deeper in anticipation of a primarily kick focussed game plan from Gloucester.  No dog-legs will be a key component for us.  Aaron Smith will sweep in behind the defensive line to counter any chips/grubbers.

Specifics

• Lineout.  In wet conditions we will look primarily to hit font and middle, and use our mauling game.  Defensively we will look to compete for the ball and disrupt wherever possible, making any ball secured by Gloucester as scrappy as we can.
  
  
• Scrum.  Hit channel one on our ball.  If we're on top, keep it in and drive to either gain ground or win the penalty.  If we're not going forward, get it out and play dependant on where we are on the pitch.  On their ball, 8 man shove and look to drive them off as their hooker lifts his foot to hook the ball.  Malherbe to stay tight and straight.  Flanker on that side to stay bound and keep Malherbe straight.
  
  
• Breakdown.  When we carry into contact, if we are taken to ground, we will flood the breakdown.  In defence, if we have made a passive tackle and the carrier has momentum we will not overcommit, but will maintain a strong defensive line.  If we win the collision and knock the carrier back we will look to get the second man in hard over the ball to turn it over.  Key for us is being selective.
  
  
• Attacking Play.  In the Quins 22 we will go through the phases, mixing up carrying in tight and getting it through the hands as appropriate.  We will also If the ball is slow and Gloucester are blitzing we will also utilise the pick and go, with the aim of keeping the blitz honest and forcing them slowly onto the back foot before going wider out.  Further out from the Gloucester line we will again carry in tight where appropriate, but also use the boots of backline to kick.  We will use the up and under sparingly, in the main kicking deep and with a lowish trajectory to get the wet ball skidding on and being difficult to handle.  We will also use little grubbers in behind the blitzing Gloucester defensive line, and Smith will also look to snipe around the fringes and keep us going forwards.  
  

---

---

Newcastle Falcons v Bath
Kingston Park
Heavy rain, 7 Degrees, 18mph Winds

---

Falcons

1. Matt Mullan, 2. Jamie George, 3. Davit Kubriashvili, 4. Ed Slater, 5. Flip Van Der Merwe, 6. David Ewers, 7. Callum Clark, 8. Kieran Read 9. Greig Laidlaw, 10. Owen Farrell, 11, Charles Piutau, 12. Scott Williams, 13. Jonathan Davies, 14. Ben Smith, 15. Gareth Anscombe

Bench - Dane Coles, Alec Hepburn, Charlie Faumuina, Jacques Potgeiter, Chris Henry, Rhys Webb, Ian Madigan, Charlie Sharples

Key points

Play to the conditions with plenty of kickers to get us in the right areas
Target Goode positionally with the kicking game and Piutau, Smith and Anscombe hunting him down
Target Goode for pace when we have ball in hand. Think Brown against Wales but far slower, create 2 on 1s with the centres and tear through the defence
Leadership - Slater, Read, Laidlaw and Farrell to lead us, we think they lack that presence under pressure

Game plan - Our game plan is going to be focused on playing to the conditions and trying to use the threats in our backline to take advantage of their defence out wide where we think they could be exploited. We're going to target Goode on the wing and Patchell at full back with our kicking game, and particularly focus on getting the ball down Goode's wing when we've got ball in hand, with him up against Piutau

Set piece - Rock solid scrummage needed, we'll look to put pressure on Big Ben with Mullan's technique but if no weakness seen use as a restart. On our ball, George is one of the best at hooking, get it out the back to Read and get going forwards. At the lineout, we'll look to mark Gaskell and Kitchener with our second row pairing, force them to make the more difficult throws towards the back where Read will be waiting. On our ball, get ball off the top with Flip, use Read often as a second option with Slater the safe ball

Breakdown - Use the experience of Clark and Read to know when to pick their spots and go in for the steal. We'll use our big front 5 and Ewers to clear the breakdown quickly, with Read/Henry focusing on beating Louw to the turnovers, first man in to focus on clearing him and second to secure the ball. We think they lack breakdown expertise outside of Louw, and with the slow Skelton in the back row we think they're a man light there

Kicking - We'll use the kicking game to put ourselves in the right areas of the field in the rain, kick in behind Goode and Patchell and get them turning, we've got a great back 3 for the aerial chase. Goode positions himself well at FB, but with Piutau and Smith bearing down on him we'll back ourselves against him on the wing. Patchell likewise lacks experience at FB. Piutau, Davies, Anscombe and Smith to offer kicking options

Attack - Use misdirection and Smith/Piutau coming into the line to try and pull their backline around. Strettle to primarily stay out wide to look to finish off chances. We want to target Goode's wing, Anscombe to act as second distributor, split either side of ruck with Farrell, then run at Goode with both our centres having the ability to create 2 on 1s against Goode's lack of pace. Big carrying pack to get us on the front foot in the conditions. Get big runners going at Barrett to put him off his game

Defence - no weak links in the back line, big hitters throughout the pack to force them backwards. JD2 to lead the defensive line, we'll blitz in their territory but employ a drift to change it up.

Bench - impact front row to get us on the front foot in the last 20, while we have the breakdown ability of Henry late on, and Madigan/Webb/ Sharples offer game breaking attacking play

---

Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. Steven Kitchoff	09. Richard Wigglesworth
02. Rory Best	10. Beauden Barrett
03. Ben Tameifuma
04. James Gaskell	11. Alex Goode
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Christian Lealifano
06. Will Skelton	13. Michele Campagnaro
07. Francois Louw	14. Liam Williams
08. Toby Falateu	15. Rhys Patchell

-
16. Richard Barrington 17. Mikey Haywood 18. Samson Lee 19. Charlie Matthews 20. Dan Lydiate 21. Josh Beaumont 22. Maxine Machenaud 23. Damian De Allende

Overall: We are gonna be looking to play a mix of territorial rugby and aggressive carrying rugby with the ball. Use our big boots in the back line to position our team and look to get turnovers at the breakdown and line out. When we have the ball in the Worcester half look to relentlessly carry the ball creating space and breaking the defence.

Scrum: Use the set piece to get quick ball to restart our play. Lee will look to cause Moody trouble and we will hope to get a shove on. Skelton will add a lot of power to the scrum and we will look to get more power from our back five. Falateu will look to attack off the quick ball he gets

Lineout: We will look to switch up the lineup with Falateu, Skelton and Kitchener options in the lineout. Kitchener will run the line out. Look to get up into the air quickly and down for a quick maul. Skelton will offer quick ball option at the front. We expect to dominate here.

Breakdown: Look to generate quick ball for our backs to take advantage of. Tipuric is brilliant at the breakdown and we will also look to get the rest of the pack looking to help and clear out.

Defence: Run a blitz defence. Lydiate will look to target Roberts. His aggressive tackling will help us stop the Warriors executing. Wigglesworth to drift behind expecting kicks.

Attack: Our half backs will control our rugby. Wiggles will set the tempo and play what he sees in front of him. Outside of him, Barrett will play flat and use his creativity to bring in the back line and make plays. He will be given a freedom to be creative. Lealifano and Goode can also make plays as first receiver and look to exploit this.

Look to bring in the rest of the back line, especially De Allende who we would like to get running at defenders. Imhoff and Williams are very skilful and if the ball gets to them will look to draw in defenders. The pack will also be involved when we have the ball for a prolonged period. We have strong carriers who excel in the loose. Look to get the ball in the hands of Kitchoff, Skelton and Falateu in order to break the line and make yards. Look to play with a high tempo and tire Worcester out. Exploit the holes we create and look to tire out Worcester which can help nullify their offensive threats.

Kicking: Barrett will be our chosen place kicker. Barrett, LLF, Williams, Wiggles and Goode all have the boots necessary to try and put us in a good position territorially and will use this option when in our own half. Look to get these balls either high giving us a chance of a good kick chase or deep in touch.

Substitutes: Keep a high tempo. We have a strong, in-form front row coming on. Best and Tameifuma can really get a push on. Gaskell and Beaumont are also in form and will look to get involved in the loose late. Machenaud is an international scrum half who can control the game. Campagnaro and Wade can come on and provide strong carries.

---

Northampton Saints v Exeter Chiefs
Franklin Gardens
Light rain, 9 Degrees, 16mph Winds

---

Northampton Saints
Manager Dammit Chris

1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Dylan Hartley
3. Adam Jones
4. Joe Launchbury
5. Jonny Gray
6. Facondo Isa
7. David Pocock (captain)
8. Billy Vunipola
9. Sam Hildago-Cline
10. Matt Giteau
11. Julian Savea
12. Weslie Fofana
13. Ollie Deveto
14. Adam Ashley Cooper
15. Ben Foden

Replacements:
16. Dave Ward 17. Mako Vunipola 18. Ramiro Herrera 19. Courtney Lawes 20. Manu Samoa 21. Joe Simpson 22. George Ford 23. Alex Dunbar

Tactics
Beginning to build some momentum and make three changes to the pack to make sure they are fresh for what will be a tough contest with Exeter Chiefs. We are looking to target 3 areas (i) gainline collisions with our big ball carriers and tacklers (ii) the breakdown and (iii) the kicking game, which is why we have recalled SHC and Deveto to the starting lineup. We want to set up the opportunity to attack Chiefs and play in the right areas of the pitch and take some risks by looking to score tries.

Set Piece
We've gone for a strong pack and replacement bench to keep our set piece strong for the whole 80 minutes. We want to provide SHC and Giteau with good ball to build attacks from. We'll aim to put pressure on the Chiefs lineout and make it difficult to get any decent ball.

Gainline/Physical Battle
We want to put real emphasis on the gainline battle, so have picked powerful ball carriers throughout our pack and strike runners in our backline. We want to build forward momentum and get the Exeter defence going backwards, or suck in tacklers on the BV, Isa, Launchbury to create space for our backs in later phases. Will look to use Savea, Forana and AAC to get us over the gainline.

Breakdown
We'll look to set Pocock loose by working as a unit at the breakdown - BV and Isa to clear out rucks, with Pocock going in to steal and slow down opposition ball. Aim to make this really physical and abrasive area of the game.

Attack
Light rain won't stop us attacking, but we will attack in the right areas and get our strike runners on the ball to really test the Exeter defence. Giteau to orchestrate the attack and Deveto brought in as a second distributor out wide with a kicking game. We can wear down Chiefs by going through the phases and sucking in defenders to put our back three into space. Impact bench to up the tempo and intensity in final 20 minutes.

Kicking
We've brought in SHC and Deveto to boost our kicking game and ensure we play the game in the right areas, we'll look to put Exeter on back foot and never let them get the chance to build any momentum.

Defence
Similar style defence to that which Saracens play in real life, putting a lot of pressure on the attacking team and force them into mistakes.

Subs
This is an area we really want to exploit going into the final 20-30 minutes, looked to select 8 guys who can make an impact and help us finish strongly and make the most of the home advantage.

---

Exeter Chiefs 

Manager – Fluxy

01. Thomas Domingo	09. Connor Murray
02. Rob Webber	10. Nick Evans (k)
03. Jake Cooper-Woolley
04. Jake Ball	11. Andrew Trimble
05. Lood De Jager	12. Ma'a Nonu (c)
06. Tom Wood	13. George Pisi
07. Steffon Armitage	14. JP Pietersen
08. Fritz Lee	15. Mike Haley

_
16. Jack Yeandle 17. Nic Auterac 18. Vincent Koch 19. James Horwill 20. Brad Shields 21. Yannick Nyanga 22. Nic White 23. Toby Flood

Usual game plan based around possession retention and high intensity; dynamic carrying, rucking and defence. Sandy Park is notorious for wind supporting one side, so we will look to play into the wind in the first half, to control the tempo and go through the phases and starve Sharks of any possession. The forwards will play a similar style game to Chiefs in real life, efficient at the set piece, but dominating around the field and in the tight phases. Looking for pick and goes and double up carrying. Then if an opportunity and space arises, simple hands to get the man over in the corner. Second half with the wind, attempt to play in the Sharks 22 and force them to try and play out of their 22. 
 

• Lineout - Nothing flash. Hit our front and middle jumpers and ensure that we secure our ball. Look to drive possession with full line out numbers in their half. Defensively, we will compete where it's on, look to disrupt Kayser's throw with LDJ jumping at the front.
  
• Scrum - Get low, our props to keep low and both flankers to stay bound and pushing to really get below the Sharks props and force an advantage. If we get going forward, mix up between forcing the penalty and getting the ball out quickly and into play against a retreating defensive line.
  
• Defence – Utilise an 'up & out' defence, where the line comes up cuts down the attackers before getting over the gain line. Then push attackers towards the touch line, Murray sweeping up the scraps behind. Look to chop attackers down early. If there is an opportunity to compete for the ball we flood the breakdown with Armitage leading the way. Key for us is being selective and maintaining integrity in the line to frustrate Sale. 
  
• Backs – Heads up rugby from the half backs. Simple hands to exploit the space out wide and ruthless efficiency from Nonu and Pisi to help maintain forward pressure with carries and low kicks to the corners.   
  

 
Key Points

Home Advantage - Sandy Park is one of the hardest places to come and play. We won't waste possession with aimless kicking, force Sale wingers to turn if we kick and emphasis on the chase.  
Form/Momentum - In game we have hit great form, and have loads of momentum coming into the game. We also have players in form in real life right across the team.
Scrum & Line-out – Target throughout, if weakness seen heap pressure and generate penalties. Kayser to be put under constant throughout the game. 
Physicality & Dynamism – Win the collision and target rucks to drive through opposition. We have a big physical, but also mobile pack. Supported by some high energy forwards off the bench.
Build a Score - Evans to take any available points on offer, to keep scoreboard ticking. Unless ten metres from the line then we kick for the line-out.

---

Saracens v Leicester Tigers
Allianz Park
Light rain, 9 Degrees, 17mph Winds

---

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Morgan Parra
02. Guilhem Guirado	10. Nicolas Sanchez
03. Dan Cole
04. Patrick Tuipultou	11. George North
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. James Haskell	13. Conrad Smith
07. John Hardie	14. Chris Ashton
08. Dave Denton	15. Stuart Hogg

:-
16. Richard Hibbard 17. Ben Franks 18. Jannie du Plessis 19. Geoff Parling 20. Will Fraser 21. Lee Dickson 22. Pat Lambie 23. Miles Benjamin

Tactics:

KEEP THINGS SIMPLE - PLAY THE CONDITIONS - Look to keep offloads and attacking play to minimum in our own half and play the conditions. Look to use SBW as a direct runner/dummy runner more than offloading at every opportunity. Look to use strong kicking options at 9/10/15 to keep us right areas of the pitch and big runners in Denton, Tuipultou, Haskell, SBW, North etc to get us over the gain line.

QUALITY 9-13 TO CONTROL THE TEMPO OF THE GAME - Look to take the game to the opposition and key players with vast experience 9-13.

TARGET SCRUM - Look to get at Jenkins in the scrum and put him under pressure from the off. Cole often has the better of Jenkins(most recently in the WC) and we have a strong front 5 to back this up.

NUMEROUS CARRYING OPTIONS IN CONDITIONS - Team packed full of "go to men" in the conditions to get us over the gain line.

TARGET BREAKDOWN - Numerous options in Cole, Whitelock, Hardie, Haskell, Denton. Look to get n edge with no genuine fetcher in the opposition line up.

General - We'll be playing a structured physical game from the off, look to get at the opposition and target the breakdown. We'll look to tie the opposition in and then get at their backline, more so in their half. Look to keep it tight in the forward pack and grind through work. Looking to bring in the opposition pack and then use big carrying options to punch holes through their defence. Look to control the tempo and areas we play with kicking options at halfback.

Scrum - Look to get a platform from the off with a strong scrummaging unit. Strong front 5 with big locks will look for the big push once the ball is in and drive the opposition back. Our TH and Hooker will look to target LH and try to get between him and Hooker to allow LH to work on TH If no weakness seen will use as restart.

Line out – Look for safe ball with world class line out options and experience. Will allow SH good clean ball and have big carriers running off the 9 at angles. Look to target opposition throw and put pressure on the hooker.

Defence - Blitz defence with high intensity and big hits, looking to drive past the ball player if the ball hits the deck. physical pack that can look to get at the collision and breakdown allowing a chance to slow down/steal ball. Put pressure on SH's basics and force him into errors. Scrum half to sweep behind the defensive line.

Attack - Keep things simple in our own half then look to unleash backs in opp 22 territory. Scrum half to dictate play from the breakdown and runners on his shoulder. Huge carrying pack to get us over the gain line after front 5 set a platform. Midfield to run angles off the 9/10, allowing us gain line breakers. Look to keep opposition guessing with clever lines through midfield. Wingers will look to track the midfield combo.

---

Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Fourie Du Preez
02. Stephen Moore (c)	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. Owen Franks
04. Pascal Pape	11. Drew Mitchell
05. Victor Matfield	12. Kurtley Beale
06. Jacques Burger	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. JMF Lobbe	14. Matt Banahan
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Mike Brown

.
16. Schalk Brits 17. Max Lahiff 18. Brian Mujati 19. Kearnan Myall 20. Juan Smith 21. Micky Young 22. Quade Cooper 23. Billy Twelvetrees

Tactics

In wet and windy conditions we will play sensibly, looking to play a structured game built around Du Preez and Burns moving us into the right areas.

- Use the rolling maul - Moore to lead from the back guided by Du Preez, and use a regular weapon off lineouts won by Matfield.

- No overly ambitious passing - In wet conditions we will either look to kick to gain territory or look to keep ball in hand and take it through the middle.

- Lobbe, Burger, Bastareaud, Jenkins and Moore are the men charged with reaching the breakdown first and look to turnover possession. We will always look to attack quickly off any turnover ball.

- At the lineout use Matfield as our banker ball and Pape and Lobbe as alternative jumpers - we will rotate the target.
With the boots of Du Preez, Burns and Beale, we will look to get the ball deep in Sarries territory and then contest all lineouts. We will relentlessly target the opposition's throws.

- Gigantic XV made up of massive line-breakers right throughout the side, that will look to tire down Sarries defence.
The likes of Waldrom, Bastareaud, Pape, Banahan and Moore used consistently to get us over the gainline.

- In general attacking play, we will play off 9 with Du preez our general pulling the strings. We want to control of the tempo of the game as much as we can through our 9/10/12/15.

- Consistently test Sarries' back three with kicks in wet conditions. Box kicks from Du Preez and up and unders from Burns/Beale to give the opposition problems in the air. We will really test Ashton with these kicks, and look to Mitchell to be on him as quickly as possible.

- Lots of scrums - which we want to attack as a weapon if winning - and call when we can - if we are getting an advantage. Franks and Moore to look to target Waller and to look to really get the shove on.

- We will look to employ a blitz defence, focusing on a quick line speed to hit the ball carrier before he gets to the gainline, and look to win the collisions in defence. Du Preez to sweep behind with an eye on short kicks.

- Burns to kick all penalites.

---

Worcester v Harlequins
Kingsholm
Light rain, 10 Degrees, 15mph Winds

---

Worcester Warriors
Manager – prop_lyd

01. Joe Moody	09. Gareth Davies
02. Ken Owens	10. Dan Biggar (k)
03. WP Nel
04. Stuart Hooper (c)	11. Waisake Naholo
05. Yohann Maestri	12. Jamie Roberts
06. SamWarburton	13. Mark Bennett
07. George Smith	14. Nehe Milner-Skudder
08. Ben Morgan	15. Mathew Tait

:-
16. Codie Taylor 17. Tom Smallbone 18. Henry Thomas 19. Mike Williams 20. Jordan Taufua 21. Sam Harrison 22. Owen Williams 23. Jarrad Payne

Tactics
In wet and windy conditions we will be looking for a controlled game and play positionally with Biggar and Davies putting us in strong areas.

Set Piece-We have gone for bulk and hard workers here who will all look to control our set piece and put pressure on the opposition's set piece Nel's return will help here.. The ball will look to go in and out pretty quickly to prevent any major mistakes/slips in the conditons. And Smith/Warbs will look to fly off the back of the line to put pressure on 10.

Breakdown-In these conditions good ball is crucial and we haev gone for 2 opensides to split the work but also to target any weak breakdowns from Quins. Both will work in tandem and both can carry if required so we aren't losing alot of balance here. Morgan will do the hard graft carrying with Hooper and Maestri alongside him. We want clean ball and will look to attack any gaps on the fringes if they are obvious.

Half-Backs-A controlled game today mainly looking for position, Biggar will look to use his up and unders when appropriate and compete for the ball here. They will have options of the blindside winger or a forward running off their's and Roberts' shoulders for the pop ball.

Outside Backs-When it's on we will look to go wide, we have two big wingers suited for the conditions and they will look to run over their opponents rather than round them in what is likely to be a tight game. Bennett will pull the strings at 13 releasing the back three.

Bench-A strong scrummaging bench and Williams and Taufua there as a carrying option. Payne will look to exploit the tired defences using tactical kicking.

Defence-Controlled defence here and we won't look to rush up, backrow to put pressure on 10 intiially with Davies sweeping behind. Main impeotus is on no gaps and defending inside-out today.

Overall-Looking for a fairly tight game with quick breakdown ball, going for position and put pressure on the opposition's set piece.

---

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Gurthro Steenkamp	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Agustin Creevy	10. Steven Myler (k)
03. Kieran Brookes
04. Luke Romano	11. Santiago Cordero
05. George Kruis	12. Robbie Henshaw
06. Damien Chouly	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Michael Hooper (c)	14. Yoann Huget
08. Mamuka Gorgodze	15. Rob Kearney

16. Scott Baldwin 17. Ethan Waller 18. John Afoa 19. Nick Easter 20. Jamie Gibson 21. Henry Pyrgos 22. Juan Martin Hernandez 23. Jack Nowell

Tactics


Forwards Work Hard - Half Backs Control - Outside Backs Create


Game Plan - Look to use the kicking game of our half backs to get us into the Worcester territory and put pressure upon their back three's kicking game which we feel we can exploit and can get us into the right positions around the park so we can use our carriers in our pack to get use go forward and create space for our backs. When we are in the Worcester half we are looking for Pienaar and Myler to control the direction of our play and put our forwards into space off 9, 10 and in the midfield where they can carry at pace looking to attack the gaps and keep the legs pumping in contact to get us across the gain line. 

Kicking Game - We feel we have two excellent kicking half backs and add to that the boot of Henshaw and Kearney to get us deep into the Worcester half. They have the kicking games to put us into space behind the Worcester back three. If Worcester drop deep then we will look to use up and unders and the world class up and under experts in Henshaw, Huget, Cordero and Kearney to retain the ball and gain us territory. We will use a varied kicking game to really work the Worcester back three hard.

Defence - In defence we will look to employ the a blitz defence in the slippery conditions looking to put pressure on Worcester's ball handling. As a default we will look to chop and get the first man over the ball unless we have the opportunity to dominate the collision and knock the Worcester man backwards. Pienaar will look to sweep behind the Blitz for the kick behind. Joseph will lead the Blitz from out to in when we have the numbers. 

Breakdown - We will will look to use Creevy and Hooper to disrupt the breakdowns when Worcester have the ball with Hooper targeting the breakdowns in the wider channels. In attack we will look to use crocodile rolls to stop Warburton latching on early before hitting the Worcester players hard and low to clear the way for quick ball. Carriers will work in pods so as to always have men at the breakdown.



Key Points

Carriers in the pack - We are full to the brim with carriers upfront to get us on the front foot and get us go forward. When we get go forward the Worcester breakdown specialists are negated. 

Kicking game - Use our kickers to control territory and our set piece to get good clean ball to attack with. Use our high ball experts to pressure the Worcester back three when we mix up our kicking game. 

Outside backs - We have the outside backs to unlock any defence and will get the ball in their hands as much as possible in the opposition half. 

Form - 10 games unbeaten this season with 8 wins and two draws. We're in the winning habit which is crucial.

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Morgan Parra
02. Guilhem Guirado	10. Nicolas Sanchez
03. Dan Cole
04. Patrick Tuipultou	11. George North
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. James Haskell	13. Conrad Smith
07. John Hardie	14. Chris Ashton
08. Dave Denton	15. Stuart Hogg

:-
16. Richard Hibbard 17. Ben Franks 18. Jannie du Plessis 19. Geoff Parling 20. Will Fraser 21. Lee Dickson 22. Pat Lambie 23. Miles Benjamin

Tactics:

KEEP THINGS SIMPLE - PLAY THE CONDITIONS - Look to keep offloads and attacking play to minimum in our own half and play the conditions. Look to use SBW as a direct runner/dummy runner more than offloading at every opportunity. Look to use strong kicking options at 9/10/15 to keep us right areas of the pitch and big runners in Denton, Tuipultou, Haskell, SBW, North etc to get us over the gain line.

QUALITY 9-13 TO CONTROL THE TEMPO OF THE GAME - Look to take the game to the opposition and key players with vast experience 9-13.

TARGET SCRUM - Look to get at Jenkins in the scrum and put him under pressure from the off. Cole often has the better of Jenkins(most recently in the WC) and we have a strong front 5 to back this up.

NUMEROUS CARRYING OPTIONS IN CONDITIONS - Team packed full of "go to men" in the conditions to get us over the gain line.

TARGET BREAKDOWN - Numerous options in Cole, Whitelock, Hardie, Haskell, Denton. Look to get n edge with no genuine fetcher in the opposition line up.

General - We'll be playing a structured physical game from the off, look to get at the opposition and target the breakdown. We'll look to tie the opposition in and then get at their backline, more so in their half. Look to keep it tight in the forward pack and grind through work. Looking to bring in the opposition pack and then use big carrying options to punch holes through their defence. Look to control the tempo and areas we play with kicking options at halfback.

Scrum - Look to get a platform from the off with a strong scrummaging unit. Strong front 5 with big locks will look for the big push once the ball is in and drive the opposition back. Our TH and Hooker will look to target LH and try to get between him and Hooker to allow LH to work on TH If no weakness seen will use as restart.

Line out – Look for safe ball with world class line out options and experience. Will allow SH good clean ball and have big carriers running off the 9 at angles. Look to target opposition throw and put pressure on the hooker.

Defence - Blitz defence with high intensity and big hits, looking to drive past the ball player if the ball hits the deck. physical pack that can look to get at the collision and breakdown allowing a chance to slow down/steal ball. Put pressure on SH's basics and force him into errors. Scrum half to sweep behind the defensive line.

Attack - Keep things simple in our own half then look to unleash backs in opp 22 territory. Scrum half to dictate play from the breakdown and runners on his shoulder. Huge carrying pack to get us over the gain line after front 5 set a platform. Midfield to run angles off the 9/10, allowing us gain line breakers. Look to keep opposition guessing with clever lines through midfield. Wingers will look to track the midfield combo.

Northampton Saints
Manager Dammit Chris

1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Dylan Hartley
3. Adam Jones
4. Joe Launchbury
5. Jonny Gray
6. Facondo Isa
7. David Pocock (captain)
8. Billy Vunipola
9. Sam Hildago-Cline
10. Matt Giteau
11. Julian Savea
12. Weslie Fofana
13. Ollie Deveto
14. Adam Ashley Cooper
15. Ben Foden

Replacements:
16. Dave Ward 17. Mako Vunipola 18. Ramiro Herrera 19. Courtney Lawes 20. Manu Samoa 21. Joe Simpson 22. George Ford 23. Alex Dunbar

Tactics
Beginning to build some momentum and make three changes to the pack to make sure they are fresh for what will be a tough contest with Exeter Chiefs. We are looking to target 3 areas (i) gainline collisions with our big ball carriers and tacklers (ii) the breakdown and (iii) the kicking game, which is why we have recalled SHC and Deveto to the starting lineup. We want to set up the opportunity to attack Chiefs and play in the right areas of the pitch and take some risks by looking to score tries.

Set Piece
We've gone for a strong pack and replacement bench to keep our set piece strong for the whole 80 minutes. We want to provide SHC and Giteau with good ball to build attacks from. We'll aim to put pressure on the Chiefs lineout and make it difficult to get any decent ball.

Gainline/Physical Battle
We want to put real emphasis on the gainline battle, so have picked powerful ball carriers throughout our pack and strike runners in our backline. We want to build forward momentum and get the Exeter defence going backwards, or suck in tacklers on the BV, Isa, Launchbury to create space for our backs in later phases. Will look to use Savea, Forana and AAC to get us over the gainline.

Breakdown
We'll look to set Pocock loose by working as a unit at the breakdown - BV and Isa to clear out rucks, with Pocock going in to steal and slow down opposition ball. Aim to make this really physical and abrasive area of the game.

Attack
Light rain won't stop us attacking, but we will attack in the right areas and get our strike runners on the ball to really test the Exeter defence. Giteau to orchestrate the attack and Deveto brought in as a second distributor out wide with a kicking game. We can wear down Chiefs by going through the phases and sucking in defenders to put our back three into space. Impact bench to up the tempo and intensity in final 20 minutes.

Kicking
We've brought in SHC and Deveto to boost our kicking game and ensure we play the game in the right areas, we'll look to put Exeter on back foot and never let them get the chance to build any momentum.

Defence
Similar style defence to that which Saracens play in real life, putting a lot of pressure on the attacking team and force them into mistakes.

Subs
This is an area we really want to exploit going into the final 20-30 minutes, looked to select 8 guys who can make an impact and help us finish strongly and make the most of the home advantage.

Some nice weather about

Amazing weather

Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Fourie Du Preez
02. Stephen Moore (c)	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. Owen Franks
04. Pascal Pape	11. Drew Mitchell
05. Victor Matfield	12. Kurtley Beale
06. Jacques Burger	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. JMF Lobbe	14. Matt Banahan
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Mike Brown

.
16. Schalk Brits 17. Max Lahiff 18. Brian Mujati 19. Kearnan Myall 20. Juan Smith 21. Micky Young 22. Quade Cooper 23. Billy Twelvetrees

Tactics

In wet and windy conditions we will play sensibly, looking to play a structured game built around Du Preez and Burns moving us into the right areas.

- Use the rolling maul - Moore to lead from the back guided by Du Preez, and use a regular weapon off lineouts won by Matfield.

- No overly ambitious passing - In wet conditions we will either look to kick to gain territory or look to keep ball in hand and take it through the middle.

- Lobbe, Burger, Bastareaud, Jenkins and Moore are the men charged with reaching the breakdown first and look to turnover possession. We will always look to attack quickly off any turnover ball.

- At the lineout use Matfield as our banker ball and Pape and Lobbe as alternative jumpers - we will rotate the target.
With the boots of Du Preez, Burns and Beale, we will look to get the ball deep in Sarries territory and then contest all lineouts. We will relentlessly target the opposition's throws.

- Gigantic XV made up of massive line-breakers right throughout the side, that will look to tire down Sarries defence.
The likes of Waldrom, Bastareaud, Pape, Banahan and Moore used consistently to get us over the gainline.

- In general attacking play, we will play off 9 with Du preez our general pulling the strings. We want to control of the tempo of the game as much as we can through our 9/10/12/15.

- Consistently test Sarries' back three with kicks in wet conditions. Box kicks from Du Preez and up and unders from Burns/Beale to give the opposition problems in the air. We will really test Ashton with these kicks, and look to Mitchell to be on him as quickly as possible.

- Lots of scrums - which we want to attack as a weapon if winning - and call when we can - if we are getting an advantage. Franks and Moore to look to target Waller and to look to really get the shove on.

- We will look to employ a blitz defence, focusing on a quick line speed to hit the ball carrier before he gets to the gainline, and look to win the collisions in defence. Du Preez to sweep behind with an eye on short kicks.

- Burns to kick all penalites.

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Gurthro Steenkamp	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Agustin Creevy	10. Steven Myler (k)
03. Kieran Brookes
04. Luke Romano	11. Santiago Cordero
05. George Kruis	12. Robbie Henshaw
06. Damien Chouly	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Michael Hooper (c)	14. Yoann Huget
08. Mamuka Gorgodze	15. Rob Kearney

16. Scott Baldwin 17. Ethan Waller 18. John Afoa 19. Nick Easter 20. Jamie Gibson 21. Henry Pyrgos 22. Juan Martin Hernandez 23. Jack Nowell

Tactics


Forwards Work Hard - Half Backs Control - Outside Backs Create


Game Plan - Look to use the kicking game of our half backs to get us into the Worcester territory and put pressure upon their back three's kicking game which we feel we can exploit and can get us into the right positions around the park so we can use our carriers in our pack to get use go forward and create space for our backs. When we are in the Worcester half we are looking for Pienaar and Myler to control the direction of our play and put our forwards into space off 9, 10 and in the midfield where they can carry at pace looking to attack the gaps and keep the legs pumping in contact to get us across the gain line. 

Kicking Game - We feel we have two excellent kicking half backs and add to that the boot of Henshaw and Kearney to get us deep into the Worcester half. They have the kicking games to put us into space behind the Worcester back three. If Worcester drop deep then we will look to use up and unders and the world class up and under experts in Henshaw, Huget, Cordero and Kearney to retain the ball and gain us territory. We will use a varied kicking game to really work the Worcester back three hard.

Defence - In defence we will look to employ the a blitz defence in the slippery conditions looking to put pressure on Worcester's ball handling. As a default we will look to chop and get the first man over the ball unless we have the opportunity to dominate the collision and knock the Worcester man backwards. Pienaar will look to sweep behind the Blitz for the kick behind. Joseph will lead the Blitz from out to in when we have the numbers. 

Breakdown - We will will look to use Creevy and Hooper to disrupt the breakdowns when Worcester have the ball with Hooper targeting the breakdowns in the wider channels. In attack we will look to use crocodile rolls to stop Warburton latching on early before hitting the Worcester players hard and low to clear the way for quick ball. Carriers will work in pods so as to always have men at the breakdown.



Key Points

Carriers in the pack - We are full to the brim with carriers upfront to get us on the front foot and get us go forward. When we get go forward the Worcester breakdown specialists are negated. 

Kicking game - Use our kickers to control territory and our set piece to get good clean ball to attack with. Use our high ball experts to pressure the Worcester back three when we mix up our kicking game. 

Outside backs - We have the outside backs to unlock any defence and will get the ball in their hands as much as possible in the opposition half. 

Form - 10 games unbeaten this season with 8 wins and two draws. We're in the winning habit which is crucial.

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Danny Care
02. Benjamin Kayser	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Rabah Slimani
04. Dave Attwood	11. Simon Zebo
05. Brodie Retalick	12. Francois Steyn
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Matt Kvesic	14. Willie Le Roux
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Nick Abendanon

Subs:
16. Jack McGrath 17. Tommy Taylor 18. Martin Moore 19. Matt Garvey 20. Maro Itoje 21. Kieran Marmion 22. Bernard Foley 23. Semesa Rokoduguni

Key Points

• Kicking options throughout the back line to target the Wasps wingers positionally.
  
• Back three all comfortable at fullback and will be sitting deep to cover kicks.
  
• Power carriers throughout the pack and midfield to get us over the gain line and on the front foot

Attack: Look to use the kicking game of our back line to get us into opposition territory and put pressure on their wingers kicking games to get us in the right areas to unleash our carriers. When in the right areas work the phases with big carries off 9/10 and in midfield to get us over the gain line building momentum and fast ball.  

Kicking: Primarily looking to take advantage of the Wasps wingers positioning and kick into the space left behind them with territory the aim. All kicks to be chased to put pressure on the turning wingers and force rushed clearances.  

Breakdown: Mobile pack and physical back line to clear out rucks and ensure quick ball. We will look to get over the gain line off all carries to make it easier to do so. Defensively unless the turnover is on we will commit minimal numbers and look to strengthen the defensive line.

Defence: Straight line blitz defence focused on winning the gain line collisions and driving the ball carrier back. Line speed is crucial. We have selected three players comfortable at fullback in the back three who will look to sit deep and cover the backfield. Care will sweep behind the line to cover chips and grubbers.

Scrum: Strong scrummaging unit in the front row with the support of a powerful 4-8 will look to get the better of the opposition and build a strong attacking platform. Look to expose the opposition flyhalf with Picamoles running directly at him.

Lineout: Five mobile, athletic jumpers allows us to genuinely mix the target up on attacking ball. Primarily looking to hit the front or middle and get the maul rolling to suck in defenders and create space. Look to use Picamoles around the back or running at Russel off a shortened line. Defensively POM to get up in the air at the front and challenge on opposition ball looking to make it as messy as possible.

Worcester Warriors
Manager – prop_lyd

01. Joe Moody	09. Gareth Davies
02. Ken Owens	10. Dan Biggar (k)
03. WP Nel
04. Stuart Hooper (c)	11. Waisake Naholo
05. Yohann Maestri	12. Jamie Roberts
06. SamWarburton	13. Mark Bennett
07. George Smith	14. Nehe Milner-Skudder
08. Ben Morgan	15. Mathew Tait

:-
16. Codie Taylor 17. Tom Smallbone 18. Henry Thomas 19. Mike Williams 20. Jordan Taufua 21. Sam Harrison 22. Owen Williams 23. Jarrad Payne

Tactics
In wet and windy conditions we will be looking for a controlled game and play positionally with Biggar and Davies putting us in strong areas.

Set Piece-We have gone for bulk and hard workers here who will all look to control our set piece and put pressure on the opposition's set piece Nel's return will help here.. The ball will look to go in and out pretty quickly to prevent any major mistakes/slips in the conditons. And Smith/Warbs will look to fly off the back of the line to put pressure on 10.

Breakdown-In these conditions good ball is crucial and we haev gone for 2 opensides to split the work but also to target any weak breakdowns from Quins. Both will work in tandem and both can carry if required so we aren't losing alot of balance here. Morgan will do the hard graft carrying with Hooper and Maestri alongside him. We want clean ball and will look to attack any gaps on the fringes if they are obvious.

Half-Backs-A controlled game today mainly looking for position, Biggar will look to use his up and unders when appropriate and compete for the ball here. They will have options of the blindside winger or a forward running off their's and Roberts' shoulders for the pop ball.

Outside Backs-When it's on we will look to go wide, we have two big wingers suited for the conditions and they will look to run over their opponents rather than round them in what is likely to be a tight game. Bennett will pull the strings at 13 releasing the back three.

Bench-A strong scrummaging bench and Williams and Taufua there as a carrying option. Payne will look to exploit the tired defences using tactical kicking.

Defence-Controlled defence here and we won't look to rush up, backrow to put pressure on 10 intiially with Davies sweeping behind. Main impeotus is on no gaps and defending inside-out today.

Overall-Looking for a fairly tight game with quick breakdown ball, going for position and put pressure on the opposition's set piece.

1 Beast
2 Strauss
3 Mas
4 Etzbeth
5 Robson
6 croft
7 Matera
8 Heaslip
9 Genia
10 Carter
11 May
12 Toomua
13 Crotty
14 Walker
15 Folau
16 Ousthuizen
17 LCD
18 Figallo
19 lavanini
20 dickinson
21 Robson
22 Cipriani
23 Dagg

Falcons

1. Matt Mullan, 2. Jamie George, 3. Davit Kubriashvili, 4. Ed Slater, 5. Flip Van Der Merwe, 6. David Ewers, 7. Callum Clark, 8. Kieran Read 9. Greig Laidlaw, 10. Owen Farrell, 11, Charles Piutau, 12. Scott Williams, 13. Jonathan Davies, 14. Ben Smith, 15. Gareth Anscombe

Bench - Dane Coles, Alec Hepburn, Charlie Faumuina, Jacques Potgeiter, Chris Henry, Rhys Webb, Ian Madigan, Charlie Sharples

Key points

Play to the conditions with plenty of kickers to get us in the right areas
Target Goode positionally with the kicking game and Piutau, Smith and Anscombe hunting him down
Target Goode for pace when we have ball in hand. Think Brown against Wales but far slower, create 2 on 1s with the centres and tear through the defence
Leadership - Slater, Read, Laidlaw and Farrell to lead us, we think they lack that presence under pressure

Game plan - Our game plan is going to be focused on playing to the conditions and trying to use the threats in our backline to take advantage of their defence out wide where we think they could be exploited. We're going to target Goode on the wing and Patchell at full back with our kicking game, and particularly focus on getting the ball down Goode's wing when we've got ball in hand, with him up against Piutau

Set piece - Rock solid scrummage needed, we'll look to put pressure on Big Ben with Mullan's technique but if no weakness seen use as a restart. On our ball, George is one of the best at hooking, get it out the back to Read and get going forwards. At the lineout, we'll look to mark Gaskell and Kitchener with our second row pairing, force them to make the more difficult throws towards the back where Read will be waiting. On our ball, get ball off the top with Flip, use Read often as a second option with Slater the safe ball

Breakdown - Use the experience of Clark and Read to know when to pick their spots and go in for the steal. We'll use our big front 5 and Ewers to clear the breakdown quickly, with Read/Henry focusing on beating Louw to the turnovers, first man in to focus on clearing him and second to secure the ball. We think they lack breakdown expertise outside of Louw, and with the slow Skelton in the back row we think they're a man light there

Kicking - We'll use the kicking game to put ourselves in the right areas of the field in the rain, kick in behind Goode and Patchell and get them turning, we've got a great back 3 for the aerial chase. Goode positions himself well at FB, but with Piutau and Smith bearing down on him we'll back ourselves against him on the wing. Patchell likewise lacks experience at FB. Piutau, Davies, Anscombe and Smith to offer kicking options

Attack - Use misdirection and Smith/Piutau coming into the line to try and pull their backline around. Strettle to primarily stay out wide to look to finish off chances. We want to target Goode's wing, Anscombe to act as second distributor, split either side of ruck with Farrell, then run at Goode with both our centres having the ability to create 2 on 1s against Goode's lack of pace. Big carrying pack to get us on the front foot in the conditions. Get big runners going at Barrett to put him off his game

Defence - no weak links in the back line, big hitters throughout the pack to force them backwards. JD2 to lead the defensive line, we'll blitz in their territory but employ a drift to change it up.

Bench - impact front row to get us on the front foot in the last 20, while we have the breakdown ability of Henry late on, and Madigan/Webb/ Sharples offer game breaking attacking play

Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. Steven Kitchoff	09. Richard Wigglesworth
02. Rory Best	10. Beauden Barrett
03. Ben Tameifuma
04. James Gaskell	11. Alex Goode
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Christian Lealifano
06. Will Skelton	13. Michele Campagnaro
07. Francois Louw	14. Liam Williams
08. Toby Falateu	15. Rhys Patchell

16. Richard Barrington 17. Mikey Haywood 18. Samson Lee 19. Charlie Matthews 20. Dan Lydiate 21. Josh Beaumont 22. Maxine Machenaud 23. Damian De Allende

Averaging 107 in 25 legs with only 8 180s. Crazy! Statement game!

London Wasps
Manager: CJ

01. Eddy Ben Arous	09. Ben Spencer
02. Richardt Strauss	10. Russell Finn (k)
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Grant Gilchrist	11. Manuel Montero
05. Luke Charteris	12. George Moala
06. Carl Fearns	13. Rob Horne
07. Chris Robshaw (c)	14. Craig Gilroy
08.  Victor Vito	15. Chris Pennell

:-
16. Nathan Catt 17. Corey Flynn, 18. Tom West 19. George Skivington  , 20 Tom Guest , 21. Rhodri Williams , 22. Charlie Hodgson 23.  George Lowe

Tactics:

Breakdown:

Commit minimal numbers in defence unless turnover on, but commit in attack with intensity to clear out the ball early. Fearns and Robshaw splitting turnover and spoiling work

Attack: 

Keep slow ball in hand with pick and drives and mauling, happy to kick behind the opposition defence into any space in their territory. Territory is the aim today

With power runners at 12 and 13 as well as the likes of Vito and Kepu, we will look to run attacking ball hard with simple passes, suck the defenders in with our hard running. Not forcing the pace of the play, preferring to recycle from the breakdown rather than throw the ball about, but still looking for the odd inside offload with our back 3 happily running off their wings. 

Also in this weather, look to utilise kicks of all types and chase every high kick to try force errors.

Defence:

Blitz defence led by Moala with Spencer sweeping and Fearns looking to cut any of Care's space to pile pressure on the out of form Sexton. Keep very tight guards at rucks to stop Care from sniping.

In this weather we will run back kicks if there is something on but generally play it safe and kick back, utilising Abendanon's occasionally poor positioning when he leaves a gap to kick into. We will be very careful to chase and contest every kick to minimalise their dangerous back 3 running back. We will also take any points on offer

Setpiece: 

We have a very inform front row who will look to focus on stabilising on opposition ball so that we can defend on the front foot, and then get the ball out quickly and safely on our ball. In the lineout, we will keep things simple in this weather and as in recent weeks look to defend lineouts on the ground rather than the air.

Overall: This is wet weather rugby so we will be direct, kick cleverly with an emphasis on the chase, compete with our heads up at the breakdown and focus on territory, winning aerial battles and defence

Pete will get tactics in by midnight but expect same as last week with Carter and co to play territory and attack lineout etc

You've got till midnight Saturday to get tactics in

London Irish

Armitage, Watson, Kriel, Barritt, Habana, Cruden, Smith;
Marler, du Plessis, Malherbe, Symons, Vahaamahina, Kaino, O'Brien, Vermeulen.
Reps: polota-Nau, Sio, Wilson, Broadhurst, Coetzee, Youngs, Slade, Nanai-Williams

Basic Game Plan
In wet conditions we will be looking to play a mixed game, and have picked a side enabling us to do so.  When in Gloucesters 22 we will look to trust in our ability and put the ball through the hands when it is on to do so.  Further out than that and we will utilise the kicking games of our entire backline to take us into the right areas of the pitch

In defence, in poor conditions, we will employ a drift defence, leaving our wingers slightly deeper in anticipation of a primarily kick focussed game plan from Gloucester.  No dog-legs will be a key component for us.  Aaron Smith will sweep in behind the defensive line to counter any chips/grubbers.

Specifics

• Lineout.  In wet conditions we will look primarily to hit font and middle, and use our mauling game.  Defensively we will look to compete for the ball and disrupt wherever possible, making any ball secured by Gloucester as scrappy as we can.
  
  
• Scrum.  Hit channel one on our ball.  If we're on top, keep it in and drive to either gain ground or win the penalty.  If we're not going forward, get it out and play dependant on where we are on the pitch.  On their ball, 8 man shove and look to drive them off as their hooker lifts his foot to hook the ball.  Malherbe to stay tight and straight.  Flanker on that side to stay bound and keep Malherbe straight.
  
  
• Breakdown.  When we carry into contact, if we are taken to ground, we will flood the breakdown.  In defence, if we have made a passive tackle and the carrier has momentum we will not overcommit, but will maintain a strong defensive line.  If we win the collision and knock the carrier back we will look to get the second man in hard over the ball to turn it over.  Key for us is being selective.
  
  
• Attacking Play.  In the Quins 22 we will go through the phases, mixing up carrying in tight and getting it through the hands as appropriate.  We will also If the ball is slow and Gloucester are blitzing we will also utilise the pick and go, with the aim of keeping the blitz honest and forcing them slowly onto the back foot before going wider out.  Further out from the Gloucester line we will again carry in tight where appropriate, but also use the boots of backline to kick.  We will use the up and under sparingly, in the main kicking deep and with a lowish trajectory to get the wet ball skidding on and being difficult to handle.  We will also use little grubbers in behind the blitzing Gloucester defensive line, and Smith will also look to snipe around the fringes and keep us going forwards.  
  
  

Perfect that works better

Guys haven't see Fluxy put in a team yet, don't want a 30-0 walkover as could be a close game - can we put in the team he used last week?

01. Thomas Domingo 09. Connor Murray
02. Rob Webber 10. Nick Evans (k)
03. Jake Cooper-Woolley
04. Jake Ball 11. Andrew Trimble
05. Lood De Jager 12. Ma'a Nonu (c)
06. Tom Wood 13. George Pisi
07. Steffon Armitage 14. JP Pietersen
08. Fritz Lee 15. Mike Haley
_
16. Jack Yeandle 17. Nic Auterac 18. Vincent Koch 19. James Horwill 20. Brad Shields 21. Yannick Nyanga 22. Nic White 23. Toby Flood

If nothing comes in we will take that teamsheet so cheers Chris

Sorry guys, could I use the same team sheet and similar tactics to last week please?

Tactics


Forwards Work - Half Backs Control - Outside Backs Create


Game Plan - When in the wasps half we will play a patient game using our pack to carry hard and get us across the gain line carrying off 9 and 10. With Genia Carter and toomua we can control the game in the wet and exploit Wasps lack of game management.As our play builds we'll look to use our strike runners and open it up. With Folau, toomua, Crotty, may we have plenty of people to step in to second receiver and keep continuity.genia Carter and toomua are their to control the game Look to create space out wide by using out the back options with lead runners running wide out to in lines to keep defence honest.


Kicking Game- Look to play the game in the Wasps half using the boot of genia Carter toomua to keep Gloucester deep. We will vary between kicking for territory and using cross fields and up and unders to gain territory using Folau and co who are experts under the high ball and will bring us possession.

Defence - Look to blitz and put pressure on wasps. By targeting then we cut there possession at source. Likewise we will target Wasps lack of lineout options to pressurise their throwing in.
Genia will sweep and we will look be aggressive and send numbers in to the breakdown to try and affect turnovers

Set Piece - Use our scrum as a weapon to attack Wasps and gain penalties and look to control the game.

KEY POINTS

Take the points - Carter is the best in the world and will kick  goals.
Look for the half back to set tone
Pressure cruden who is not a wet weather player and who has been out for a long time

Pressurise lineout on their throw with our multiple jumpers
Play game in right areas

Predo's open - send to Pooly

Shut at 1400 Tuesday, late predo's won't be accepted

Predo's closed.

Sale 26 -17 Wasps
(T:2 C:2 P:4) (T:1 P:4)
Gloucester 22-25 Irish
(T:1 C:1 P:5) (T:1 C:1 P:6)
Newcastle 24-18 Bath
(T:2 C:1 P:4) (P:6)
Northampton 25-21 Exeter
(T:1 C:1 P:6) (P:7)
Saracens 26-21 Leicester
(T:2 C:2 P:4) (P:7)
Worcester 24-23 Harlequins
(T:2 C:1 P:4) (T:1 P:6)


Full Predo: CJB, Flux, Steve, Prop, Bam, Chris, SJE, Pooly, CJ
Scores: Matt
No Predo: Pete, Luke

Sale 27 - 20 Wasps

Other than the back row, I think the Wasps pack will find it a real battle up against a powerful Sale side. The quality of the likes of Ayerza and Retallick is just a bit too much away from home. Wasps have a decent backline, but the Sale players are in great form, and too much quality in the half backs, which will really put Wasps talented but raw halfbacks under pressure. Its a comfortable home win for the form side in the league, with the conditions I'm not sure about the bonus though

Sale 24 - 21 Wasps

Sale that bit stronger across the board and at home they get the win. Conditions hit the scoring a little bit and Wasps will most certainly put up a fight. I think Spencer hurts Wasps as he just isn't at the level of other 9's he will come up against.

Sale 28-18 Wasps
Front fives go to Sale. Prefer the balance of the Sale back row. Half backs go to Sale and bit more quality on show outside them for Sale.

Sale 26-21 Wasps
Quite a close front 5 battle in these conditions, Wasps are set up well in the back row for the conditions however Sale have done likewise and bring a step up on Wasps here. Better half backs for Sale will release a dangerous back line. Wasps can get some joy with their back 3 but not enough. Strong bench for Sale too. Sale using tactics well with kicking and targetting Wasps weaknesses, Wasps looking for quick ball and their front row will help their set piece but they may over-commmit at the breakdown on their ball.

Sale 17-15 Wasps

Front row and scrum to Sale but I think Wasps compete in the back 5 with a few slight form issues for Sale. Not much in the 10's but Care has been good the last few weeks but Spencer the better options for the conditions. Backs and bench to Sale in a good contest.

Sale Sharks 15 - 9 Wasps
Weather ruins a good contest, kicking game of Sale will win this game, together with a really solid platform in the pack. Wasps could get at the home teams lineout, but more ball carriers in the Sale team. Would start Itoje ahead of Attwood now.

Sharls 18-17 Wasps

Sale Sharks 20 - 17 Wasps

A good contest between both sets of front five players in the set piece. Around the park both sides are no slouches either, with Wasps not taking a backward step against the Sharks away from home. The terrible conditions however are much more suited to the heavier pack of Sale and they will garner more possession and accrue better yardage. With Sexton off form, a bit of pressure is applied to Care here to maintain control, but he is helped with the array of able kickers in his back line allowing to take pressure off him. The Spencer Finn combo is tidy and will help push Wasps around the park, but also look to unleash the carrying in the midfield when needed. The Wasps wings are very elusive and despite good kick chase from Sharks, the footwork and power from Gilroy and Montero respectively will elude Sharks a few times. This one will remain close, but Shark will edge a victory against the tireless Wasps boys.

Gloucester 15-17 London Irish

I think London Irish edge the scrum, with equality at the lineout and an advantage to Irish in the carrying and breakdown stakes. Irish tactics using setpiece/breakdown very thoroughly set out adding to their strength here. I think in wet weather, with simple game plans, Irish have the more suited outside backs but agree I'd rather than Carter than Cruden in the rain. All in all, I think the platform is good enough for London Irish to get the win. Both benches would have more impact in the dry.

Gloucester 19 - 22 London Irish

Front 5s are pretty well matched physically, think Irish have the edge at the set piece. In the back row, too much power from Irish, think a pack containing Robson and Croft is a bit outmatched at the breakdown. One a piece at halfback, while in the conditions its tough to split the teams in the outside backs, possibly a slight edge to Irish. Benches are pretty even, its very tough to call, but I'll go with the breakdown advantage and give this to Irish.

Gloucester 22 - 22 London Irish

A very close game in poor conditions. Plenty of quality in both sides with two strong packs which are well set at the set piece and the breakdown and two sides packed with physicality. I can't call the game either way.

Gloucester 22-25 Irish
Prefer the Irish front row and the Gloucester second row. Irish have the stronger back row. Gloucester have the better second row but the outside backs go to Irish.

Glos 23-27 Irish
Very close front 5 battle, think Irish could get a small nudge on but not alot. Back-row, Glos individually are good but think the balance for Irish works in these conditions with Croft not one to commit alot to breakdown. Good half back battle, think just a small edge for Irish. Danger outwide for both teams but think Irish will get the better ball. Impact from bench even. Glos need to change Wasps to Irish in their tactics but set out well for conditions. Irish playing conditions well and looking for set piece to get them good ball which will work.

Gloucester 22-18 London Irish
Can't see a whole lot between the front 5s at the scrum but Glaws could cause a few lineout issues for Irish. Bit more to the Glaws 2nd row around the park with Etzbeth a stand out. Irish are man for man stronger through the backrow especially at 6. Halfbacks one a piece but Glaws edge on form. Folau potentially the stand out of the backs but not really a whole lot between the two sides. More impact from the Irish bench late on. Solid game plan from Glaws looking to control territory and with it the pace of the game. They will have to work for possession in the open field against a strong Irish backrow but will pick off the lineout a bit and with Carter should gather enough points for the home win.

Gloucester 22-23 Irish

Irish take the front row and shade the engine room with a slightly better combo although Etzebeth the best lock on show, not sure if Robson is at this level. Irish man for man better in the backrow and they'll get on top in the pack. One a piece in the halfbacks but Gloucester the better combo, Cruden very hard to rate. Mixed bag in the backs with Gloucester the better centres and Irish the better back 3. Really tight game, Gloucester need to improve on Walker and Robson to get on top.



Gloucester 23 - 21 London Irish
Two strong teams on display. The difference really comes down to home advantage with the combination of Carter and Toomua. When Cruden comes back from injury it will make a huge difference. Can't see where Irish will get over the gain line in the backs.

Gloucester Rugby 21 - 22 London Irish

Two very big packs here in the tough conditions. As Kingsholm can become quite a mud bath (look at Saturday!) this will come down to who has an effective set piece and good carriers. Glaws have a steady enough set piece, however man for man lack the heavy duty carrying that Irish possess. The Carter Genia combo however is one of the very best and combined with Toomua and Folua, creates a very imposing side to play against when kicking for territory. Irish are very much a similar side which are very solid in the testing conditions and can turn the pressure back on to Glaws. Cruden not being a wet weather player is a silly comment, considering the Chiefs practically play in wet conditions most of the time! This one is very close and will come down to who can squeeze the most from the boot and get the in right areas, and irish will manage to do that with their carrying.

Newcastle 20 - 15 Bath

I love Newcastle's pack for wet weather here, although Bath's is well selected too. Unsure of Skelton at 6 but understand what he might add here. Bath targeted tactics haven't been updated from last opponents btw. Close at scrum which Newcastle may just have a tiny advantage in, possible slither in favour of Bath at lineout, then even at breakdown but think the cohesive tight work needed in this weather will be better for Newcastle. both sides have good kickers thrpugout backline and Newcastle's two powerful centres helps, and not sure about Goode on wing. Newcastle win at home

Newcastle 19 - 16 Bath

In awful conditions I don't see how any side goes to Newcastle and comes away with anything other than a loss with that side out. A side from the scrum I don't see a weakness in their side. Bath are set up well (Gaskell better at 6 than Skelton by miles) but they don't have enough in the conditions to push Newcastle.

Falcons 25-21 Bath
Good wet weather set up for Falcons in the pack and think they will get the small edge in the set piece battle. Back row fairly even, Louw could get on top but not alot in it. Half backs See Falcons edge this battle and out wide the centres will work well for them along with their back 3. Bath will do well but don't have enough out wide for this. Good benches and starting Lee and Lydiate would have helped Bath in these conditons. Bath wanting to use their carriers but playing against Worcester here, Falcons bringing good target areas and kicking.

Newcastle 25-20 Bath
Good even set piece battle but the Bath front 5 offer more grunt around the park. Skelton hasn't the work rate to play 6 and leaves alot for Louw to do. Halfbacks one a piece but Falcons better suited to the conditions slightly. Bath looking to pack the backs with kicking options but haven't the carrying or threat of Falcons who have a few decent boots themselves. Can see the Falcons front 5 reinforcements giving them a good boost late on. Not sure Falcons will get major joy out of targetting Goode/Patchell positionally with kicks but looking for one on ones for Piatua and overlaps could see a lot joy. Bath looking to dominate territory but Falcons looking strong in the backfield and don't think Bath have the carrying options to consistently get on the front foot. (PS Skelton will not offer a quick ball option at the lineout!)

Newcastle 19-15 Bath

That's a good wet weather pack for Falcons, especially the front 5 unit and Bath will struggle to get a foothold. Skelton at 6 is the wrong call imo and CJB has upset a quality lock combo and made it lightweight in the poor weather. I like both halfback combo's, Falcons especially in some fine form. Not much in the centres but Newcastle a step up in the back 3, odd choice of Goode on the wing....the slowest winger of all time

Newcastle 15 - 10 Bath
Not sure about some of the selections from Bath, can see why they have done them in heavy rain but I don't think it will work, Goode could get caught out positionally on the wing, while I haven't seen Skelton play at no6 and Lydiate would have been better to start there with his tackling. Strong Falcons team and Farrell in tremendous form and exactly the player you want in these conditions.

Newcastle 22-23 Bath


Newcastle Falcons 19 - 15 Bath Rugby

Bath have a little more in terms of carrying, but Read would be licking his lips seeing Skelton packing down at six, as he would back himself to get up and past Skelton virtually every time if his packs can get a nudge on. Every where else looks a quite even in this contest, with Bath maybe shading the carrying with some bigger units. Out wide Falcons have a very well suited combo at 9 & 10, but Bath are no slouches either. Piatua is much more effective at fullback, but can understand why he is on the wing. Goode on the wing, again I can understand why, however we would be targeted and although he is much quicker than people believe, would have been much more effective for Bath at fullback. Bath will attack well, but this result will end up in favour of Falcons.

Saints 17 - 18 Chiefs

Think scrum is close, lineout just to Chiefs, maybe edge of breakdown to Chiefs, but carrying to Saints and like the look of their back row for balance. In the rain, I'd rather have Chiefs' HBs and Saints backline is very talented but a more dry weather side. Nonu will make yards vs Fofana, and I just prefer Chiefs for this match which is enough to steal a win

Saints 20 - 17 Exeter

Pretty even in the front 5s, with the second rows being far stronger than the front rows they are lining up with. Love the Saints back row balance, I'm a big fan of Isa and with the quality of Pocock and Billy, think its a decent advantage over Chiefs trio. One a piece at halfback, while I'd favour the Chiefs centres and Saints back 3. Bench in favour of Saints. Tough game to call, think Saints might lack a boot outside of Giteau, while Exeter may struggle for a real set piece platform. I'll go with home advantage as the difference

Northampton 20 - 19 Exeter

Tough game to call which I think is decided on home advantage and form. There is a lot of quality in the Saints side and they have good players for the slippery conditions as well as good experience.
Saints 25-21 Exeter
Prefer the Saints front five. Not much in back rows - probably edge to Saints. One each in half backs and Saints edge the outside backs.

Saints 27-24 Chiefs
Can't really split it in up front to be honest, very even here with each advantage levelled by another player. Evans playing well at the moment giving a small plus for Chiefs. Solid defence for Chiefs but Saints get better attacking opportunities. Saints more dangerous outside this too. Good Saints bench. Saints bringing carrying tactics and the subs impact will work well. Chiefs looking to keep it simple and look for Armitage to get good ball. Think Saints just have enough.

Northampton 23-23 Exeter
Not an awful lot between the front 5s around the park or at the set piece. Both sides have their own turnover kings and the breakdown is going to be a real messy affair. Halfbacks shade to Exeter with Evans in good nick at 10. Bit more about Chiefs in midfield currently. More attacking threat to the Saints back three but would expect the Chiefs wings to win more of the aerial battles. Saints bench stronger throughout though and gives great impact. Not sure Saints dominate the air or collisions as much as they expected to here and feel they are playing straight into Exeter's hands at times. But at home and with major impact from the bench can see them clawing back the deficit late on

Norhampton 20-19 Exeter

Domingo not in great form but both of the Saints locks not great so have to side with the away side in the scrum. One a piece in the engine room but I prefer Saints at 7/8 with Billy in some good form of late. Not the greatest of halfback combo's for Saints and Exeter can get an edge despite Murray being in poor form. Devoto an odd choice at 13 and not getting much game time of late hurts Saints in the centres but I like the set out of the back 3 in the conditions.

Northampton 20-19 Exeter

Saracens 21 - 18 Leicester

Before Cole's issues vs Saracens in real life, I'd have given the scrum to Saracens here, but now it's even. Both sides win own lineout, with pretty safe options. Saracens win the breakdown though, and maybe edge the tight carrying. In these conditions Parra and FDP equal but prefer Sanchez at 10, then Saracens' backs well set out and capable of making best of the limited attacking chances in this match. Think the aerial back 3 battle goes to Leicester which is useful for them, but overall it's not enough and I'm not sure their centres match up well to Saracens' in the rain, especially with sensible tactics from Pooly re using SBW
Saracens 26 - 24 Leicester

Front 5 relatively even, don't think Cole has the scrum form to get a real edge on Jenkins at the moment, while Matfield cancels out Whitelock in the lineout. Round the park, I'd favour the Sarries pack to get the better of the carrying and breakdown, with Hardie to the fore. One apiece at halfback, while i think the outside backs just favour Sarries at a whole, mainly down to the centre combo. At home, with a good game plan I'd expect Saracens to nick this
Saracens 18 - 17 Leicester

Two sides set out well for the wet conditions. At home and with players who suit the conditions Saracens take the win whilst Leicester push them all the way. Closest game of the week.
Saracens 23-21 Tigers
Tigers better front row, Sarries better in the second row. Edge in back row to the Tigers. Half backs go to Sarries with Burns as the weakest player. Sarries also have the stronger outside backs.

Sarries 25-27 Tigers
Great match here! Moore gives Tigers bit of an edge here, 2nd row pretty close. Solid back row battle, shame Denton isn't starting for Bath alot as Waldrom's form gives Tigers the edge. Not loads in half back battle although Sanchez's kicking will help Sarries here and Tigers bring it close in centre battle in these conditions. 2 great back 3's here, Sarries have the players to work well with their centres, Tigers can make something from nothing. Prefer the bench from Sarries which will give them back into the game. Structure for Tigers will work and good carriers, Sarries looking to control the tempo and also have the strong carriers. This game will get closer as the benches are unloaded.

Saracens 28-22 Tigers
Nothing between the scrums but Sarries front 5 much more capable around the park and there's a better balance to their backrow with some good form on the flanks. More about the Sarries halfbacks and a bit more guile to their midfield but the back three is fairly even. Good kicking games from both sides and don't see either dominating territory but Sarries have a more mobile carrying game and can see them getting on the front foot more often.







Saracens 23 - 20 Leicester Tigers
Few Sarries players not in the best of form and give the pack battle to Tigers at the setpiece - but with Burger not featuring in real life they lose some of the impact at the breakdown and see Sarries having more around the park in the pack. Prefer Sarries backline. Even benches as well, but just see Sarries being able to make more of their opportunities.

Saracens 19-18 Leicester

Saracens 19 - 19 Leicester Tigers

Sarries will struggle come to the scrum with Cole not performing to his best as of late. He's helped out by his big second row, however this will put pressure on Waller, and this will be detrimental to the Sarries scrum. Line out things are much better, but Sarries are up against the master of the line out and won't pinch much Tigers possession. This upper hand really allows Waldrom to do, what he does, and use his direct running around the fringes and off front foot ball. FdP is a source of control and great at pinpointing and forcing the Sarries wingers to turn and try maintain possession. However Parra and Sanchez are also equally adept at applying the same pressure upon the Tigers wingers. The size in the Tigers back line allows them to maintain pressure in the conditions, however Burns and his kicking will let Saracens off the hook, who will in turn scrap to a draw in the end.

Worcester 24 - 20 Harlequins

I think Worcester and Quins don't get much on each other's scrums, expect Quins to compete on Worcester's lineout though. Both sides neutralise on carrying and Worcester edge the breakdown. Close fight at HB but just give advantage to Worcester duo. I prefer Worcester back 3 and think the centre clash could be the battle of the round - love both sets and how they contrast. Altogether, home win

Worcester 23 - 23 Harlequins

With Nel back, I'd expect both tightheads to get on top of the opposing loosehead, while the second rows are pretty similar in quality and set piece ability. The dual 7 approach will slow Hooper down, but I wonder if Wuss lack a carrier in the pack, especially up against a side with as many as Quins. Wuss stronger at halfback with the combo, while the 4 best NH centres go head to head here, can't split them. Great back 3 battle too, in the conditions its a shame that they won't get enough ball to be as effective as possible. Quins have a lot more impact off the bench. Really tough to call, I'll have to sit on the fence

Warriors 23-28 Quins
Front five to Quins. Quins have a lot of carrying in the back row and prefer that unit. Half backs to Warriors. In the conditions I prefer the Quins outside backs here.

Worcester 18-23 Harlequins
Good battle between the front 5s but Quins edge the scrum battle slightly. Really not sold on Chouly at 6 who has been poor since before the WC and the Worc dual 7 threat works well with both in good form. Halfbacks one a piece and can see both combos working well in the conditions. Great midfield battle and two exciting back threes but the Quins backline should win more of the aerial battles and the Worc wingers lacking positionally somewhat. More of a kicking game through the Quins backs. Quins gone about the game as expected and can see them getting on top territory wise. Can see them having to fight a lot for possession but see them getting enough kicks to sneak a decent away win.

Worcester 25-21 Harlequins

I like Quins at 2 and 3 but Steenkamp not great of late gives Worcester the scrum. One a piece in the engine room with Kruis in some great form for Quins. Worcester going with 2 7's can work here with no top breakdown options in the Quins forwards and they get a small pack advantage. Both Worcester halfbacks much stronger than their opposition, especially at 10 and one a piece in the centres with the Worcester combo slightly stronger. Fantastic back 3 battle very hard to split.

Worcester Warriors 21 - 20 Harlequins
Game of the weekend. Very tough to call, can see Quins causing issues come line out but a strong scrummaging unit by Worcester. Like the backrow combination of both teams, Warriors should edge the breakdown. Love the Worcester back three and that is where I see them edging the game that is controlled by Dan Biggar who is the best no10 in Europe at the moment.

Worcester 18-18 Harlequins

Worcester Warriors 22 - 20 Harlequins

Warriors look a little tighter up front and will enjoy getting a nudge on the Quins pack in this game. The line out is very much more an even contest with both sides enjoying some clean possession from this asset. Quins have some very mobile units in their forwards which will help them get around the park, but in the conditions Warriors have some big lads that will suit them more in the conditions and with two opensides who like to carry as well, they will look in good shape.
Two set of halfbacks that are also well suited to this type of contest, it comes down to the backs and how they will handle the tactical side of the game. Quins with Kearney at the back at much more solid than usual, as they would prefer to play a game at a higher pace. Warriors with the likes of Roberts who can truck up if needed in traffic help relieve the pressure off the forwards. With JMH and Nowell coming on later to help turn the tide, Wuss have been kicked out of sight by Biggar, to claim a good little win for the Warriors.

If you don't mind me asking, I thought the margin was a lot closer than that? The result is in hand, just looked a bit off comparing it to the results.

Sorry Flux, it was 25-21.....I gave 1 point for win instead of 0.5.

Cheers mate, just thought something looked a little off 

Well won SJE, no surprises about that one